Everything is available, but it does add up.

Offer $500 and show up with cash money talks!

 

Good enough for a teenage boy to enjoy working on this summer and building his dream car?




This summer and many, many, many others to come, if he's like mosy teenagers he'll grow impatient fast,...I would. At his age my 67 and 71 were both in great shape!

Awesome project, just be sure he knows what it'll take, both time and cost wise,... especially with the short availability of parts for the 71 - 73.

 

Good enough for a teenage boy to enjoy working on this summer and building his dream car?




This summer and many, many, many others to come, if he's,like mosy teenagers he'll grow impatient fast,...I would. At his age my 67 and 71 were both in great shape!

Awesome project, just be sure he knows what it'll take, both time and cost wise,... especially with the short availability of parts for the 71 - 73.

The 1973 is mine and I have started with less and more obsure car (1955 Desoto). So parts availablity for that car is OK with me.
My son was very patient fixing up his 1981 F150 which he bought out of a junkyard. So I believe he has earned the chance to try something a little more. Besides, the car will be at my house and if he drops it, it is mine!!!

 

You are looking at putting $20K plus in that to get a decent car. I much prefer the 66 because of the wiring, the better heads on the V8 and a number of other improvements. He would be better off getting a drivable car that is complete but needs some work like mechanical stuff and paint. Just my 2 cents (pre inflation value)

 

Looks like a lot bigger project than one summer. They always are. As long as he understands "project" and isn't all ants in the pants and about driving it, buy it.
Well, TOO ants in pants. He is 19 as you say. It's possible to throw together a mechanically sound claptrap of a car and have a ball driving it. I get strongly tempted to do just that with my '69 every once in a while. Not a direction you really want to encourage though.

 

...Is this a good deal?...

Cheap, yes. But IMO not a good deal. Missing too much. (And there's no title.)

I'd rather spend more up-front on something like this: 1965 Ford Mustang Rust-Free Project

 

Cheap, yes. But IMO not a good deal. Missing too much. (And there's no title.)

Our '65 coupe had a transferable registration and NO title was needed in NY BITD. Depending on it's registered state, it may have a transferable registration and then NO title is needed to transfer ownership..
Lynn

 

It's extremely unlikely your son would ever get that car road worthy. As mentioned, there's just too much missing. All those missing parts add up to too many dollars.

When I was looking for a Mach 1 project, I found many examples like that '65; stripped. But the cars what were also rough, but mostly complete, weren't priced any higher than the stripped cars. It was weird, but that's what I saw.

So, I bought a '70 Mach 1 that was rough, but it was all there. I would suggest you find a similar coupe. A missing drive train is actually an easy fix. It's all the other stuff which becomes an expensive challenge. So, make sure all that other stuff is there.

 

It's extremely unlikely your son would ever get that car road worthy. As mentioned, there's just too much missing. All those missing parts add up to too many dollars.

When I was looking for a Mach 1 project, I found many examples like that '65; stripped. But the cars what were also rough, but mostly complete, weren't priced any higher than the stripped cars. It was weird, but that's what I saw.

So, I bought a '70 Mach 1 that was rough, but it was all there. I would suggest you find a similar coupe. A missing drive train is actually an easy fix. It's all the other stuff which becomes an expensive challenge. So, make sure all that other stuff is there.

I believe you are correct and will keep looking. Anyone know of another around the North Carolina area? Less than $1500.

 

No title, not interested.

My recommendation: spend $5k and get a '66 coupe thats all together and running. Plenty of father-son projects to be had in a car of that caliber.

BTW this is exactly what I did with my father, I have lots of fond memories.

 

No title, not interested.

+100

 

Having rehabbed a couple "too far gone" mustangs, I would recommend looking for something in better shape. Every dollar spent buying a good shell will save you 5 on fixing rusted metal. My guesstimate for panel repair is 1000$ per panel minimum to fully repair it by the time you are done (this assumes the car needs minimal motor and some interior work, too, and you do it some work yourselves.)

So a 2000 rustbucket that needs 2 doors, 2 quarters, 2 fenders, 1 hood, 1 trunk, 2 floorpans, 2 halves to the cowl will become a $14,000 project at the minimum to have a decent drivable car. Then add in brakes, suspension, etc and it is easily a 16-20K project.

 

Having rehabbed a couple "too far gone" mustangs, I would recommend looking for something in better shape. Every dollar spent buying a good shell will save you 5 on fixing rusted metal. My guesstimate for panel repair is 1000$ per panel minimum to fully repair it by the time you are done (this assumes the car needs minimal motor and some interior work, too, and you do it some work yourselves.)

So a 2000 rustbucket that needs 2 doors, 2 quarters, 2 fenders, 1 hood, 1 trunk, 2 floorpans, 2 halves to the cowl will become a $14,000 project at the minimum to have a decent drivable car. Then add in brakes, suspension, etc and it is easily a 16-20K project.

Is your guesstimate for panel repair, paying some one else to have it done or doing it your self?

 

I paid 2500 for mine 3 years ago and drove it home. The more you spend up front the better off you are and the more you will save in the long run. Otherwise it is a very long road.

 

you might have to drive a bit. Ill keep my eye out in VA.

 

Is it a v8 car? If so for $500 grab it.........Title smitle you can part it out,have parts for the 65 -66 he ends up getting and sell/trade off the excess. BTW By northern standards the car doesn't look that rotted , so it needs some floor work,no biggie unless I'm not seeing something? The compartment looks clean.

 

I don't see the mention of no title that people are talking about.

First off you know your son better than we do so if you think it's a project he will stick with then I would go with that judgement. As far as the missing pieces, maybe you guys could find a basket case car with a working engine/trans and other needed parts to fill in the gaps. If the shell is in basically good shape I would say it's worth the price. You've done this before so you should be able to judge that.

 

I don't see the mention of no title that people are talking about.

From the linked ad:

have the registration for last owner but no title otherwise a solid car.

 

I'd think it would be better to get a 19 year old into a driver that can be worked on and improved, rather than a ground-up rebuild. Rebuild is multiple years of effort and very little instant gratification. A driver, on the other hand, gives something now and each small change can be seen and felt right away.

Just my sense, though - if I wanted to help a young man get introduced to and turned on by working on vintage Mustangs, that's what I'd be inclined to do. If he's already a hard-core wrench, maybe the answer should be different. Good luck.

 

Let me sound like a really old guy here now, but back in the day, we could buy these cars for just a few thousand $$ in great shape. They were a dime a dozen, nothing special.

With what it would cost a 19 yr old to bring this baby back to life, he'd be waaay better off putting that same $$ into a house. I just can't see someone that young with that amount or level of disposable income.

Also with the time it'd take, most younger guys would get side tracked and be looking for a driver now,...for sure I'd be one! :skullnbones:

I'd be content to just let him help me.

 

I agree with everyone else. You used to be able to spend a few grand on used parts (drive train, body parts from swap meets, even JUNKYARDS! etc) to get a project to a somewhat running condition. Now a days, no way.

You'll spend more in getting a decent drivetrain for that car (motor/trans/exhaust/brackets/radiator/hoses/pulleys/alt/etc) than you would pay for a complete running 65/66 coupe project car. Check out Charlottes Craiglist. LOTS of 3-5K project cars. Have you priced out interiors lately? I have. Get one that's as complete and "usable" as possible.

I'm restoring a 67 Firebird. It was my dad's car, but it's missing A LOT of pieces/parts. I saved a TON of money by lucking out on a complete subframe/motor with ALL brackets/pulleys/etc/PS for $250. Without that I would have spent a grand or more piecing just all the brackets, pulleys, mounts, PS, etc together. The interior is stripped with no glass... going to be very $.

Always buy the most rust free complete car you can afford, if not, you'll pay 3-5X more to get a cheap roller to the same condition. Those $500 to $1000 finds can be exciting to get a "cheap car" until you add up the thousands and thousands of dollars in missing parts.

 

Not trying to discourage you (my son bought a 66 coupe when he was 14, rebuilt it and drove it to school Junior and Senior year), but is your son going to go to college? Apprenticeship? I have a hunch he might be a bit busy with school, etc. to work on a car besides all the other stuff 19 year olds have to do. Just something to think about.
Stan

 

You CAN obtain a Certificate of Title in NC without having the previous title, but it involves getting an Indemnity Bond..here is the info.. still a pain in the ***.

http://www.ncdot.gov/download/dmv/VR_MVR92A.pdf

 

Hmmm… I'll chime in with a more positive note. A low-rust shell as shown is likely worth what they are asking, or very nearly so. As for the "missing" stuff, looks to me like most of it would have been replaced on a rough but running car anyway, except for the engine.

I don't know the young man in question, but he wants to work side by side with Dad on a car project. That's a plus right there. Then there's the question of time. I look at the stuff I did all at the same time at that age and wonder how I did it, so don't sell him short. As for the personality of the young man, as I said, I don't know him, but I do know a fourteen-year-old-girl I'd set on such a project without hesitation. She'd probably finish it in less than two years, and it would probably be done in Harley colors.

 

You make some good points. Another one is that a lot of the missing stuff can be had on a very rusty and crusty running car that sells cheap.

 

i cantr imagine it being a good idea to get a 19 y/o a car without a motor unless he is already driving something..Im in central NC to theres a 68 coupe a mile from me driveline rebuilt but an I6 4 speed prolly get for less than 4k with cash

 

He's not looking for transportation:

…my son now wants to get a 1965 Mustang to work on alongside my 1973. …
Is this a good deal? Good enough for a teenage boy to enjoy working on this summer and building his dream car? Teaching him welding, painting, and good mechanical skills!

 

That center link doesn't look like a V8 one. Plus I don't see any 289 fender badges. I doubt its a original V8 car.

 

True. So what? Does it being a 6 cylinder car disqualify it as being a fun project? For that matter, if he wanted to convert it to V8, he'd be at the same point as if it were a running 6 cylinder and he wanted to convert to V8 and restore it.

 

If it's a question of money, you just have to look at similar more expensive cars to compare to those $500 ones, and ask yourself...

Will it cost more than $4k to make that $500 car look like this one?
66 Mustang Coupe(V-8 Auto.)

or this one?
1965/ 1964 1/2 Mustang

Or $1700 to get like this one
Project Mustang

 

I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a car with NO motor or transmission as long as it was a V8 car - then I'd find a good roller 5.0L drivetrain donor and swap it over (either stay EFI and do the conversion or just swap to a carb and bolt it right in.)

Like everyone else said - it's all the other little parts that will add up quick - trim, interior, chrome, etc. Find a more complete start or be planning to buy a donor for all the small parts that are missing... Unless you have deep pockets and can buy everything brand new!

 

Here is the deal, the V-8 vs. 6 make a difference in resale value. Here in Michigan not title means trouble not worth going thru. Other states it is as easy as a bill of sale. The amount of work and money you will have to put into car you will be behind in the end. I would only even think about getting a car that needs that much work if it was a K code myself (and I would buy it in a minute if it was a k code lol). You could spend 1-2k more and save yourself a lot of problems. And remember that coups are not as collected, so they come up all the time at good prices.

 

I saw the same ad on craigslist... are you close by to Charlotte, or Statesville?
Stop by!

 

As I said,I'd buy it. I knew a dumb 19 year old kid that bought a used beat up 66 Mustang,That was probably in worse shape. Guess what,he still has it.....The car is a loaded 66 G.T. Fastback. Everyone tried to talk me out of it.My mother would NOT loan me $500 towards the purchase of it ( Because I already had a 66 ,I still have that one to BTW). So I had to get a Loan, I grabbed a second job and paid the loan down in record time.


Things I learned, Work your a$$ off for the stuff you want, Don't always take the advice of others, Paying off loans quickly help you build stellar credit, working hard on a project gives you a great sense of pride, I learned the thought processes required to take things apart and fix them. and if you keep the $ in check you end up with a nice asset.

As A side note Most of my car friends who told me not to buy it at the time,no longer have cars, They think I got an amazing deal on it, and they wish they could buy it. As for my non car friends at the time Most of them took a different path : Partying , Drugs ( some died young), chasing girls( I can't fault that), Gambling,etc,etc,etc.

So your son wants to waste his time and money on fixing an old car. There are worse things.

 

Can't agree more! I started working on Mustangs at 16. My first car was a 68 GT.. Was in the garage most nights and weekends with friends. I stuck $$$ in my car, some of my buddies blew their $$$ in the bars. My Mom and Dad always knew where I was. In the process I learned how to fix or rebuild darn near everything on these cars, learned all about paint and bodywork and learned that there is nothing you cannot do if you put your mind to it. I applaud your son in being interested in these classics. Most kids his age are not at all interested in "old cars".